STANIMAL'S HOSTELS & SHUTTLE SERVICE
AROUND THE BEND | GLASGOW
HIKING PACKAGES, LODGING & SHUTTLE SERVICES
STAY, SHUTTLE, AND HIKE
Stanimal’s Hostels offer a unique Appalachian Trail experience. With lodging in the Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest of Georgia and the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, we host Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, as well as section hikers who are here to enjoy nature and the surrounding trails.
We offer complimentary Appalachian Trail shuttle pickups for both our Georgia and Virginia locations ー including drop-off at designated trail heads, as well as multiple slack packing options available.
Choose from our recommended slack pack itineraries, or we can help you customize your hiking experience.
Select your trip below for more info:
Georgia to Franklin, NC (35+ miles)
James River Footbridge to Reid's Gap, VA (50+ miles)
SLACK PACKING - AROUND THE BEND
Stanimal’s Slackpack to Franklin, NC
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Welcome to Stanimal’s Around the Bend!
Day 2: 5.8 miles (ascent: 1568 ft, descent: 1939 ft)
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Drop off: Blue Ridge Gap (AT mile 75.2)
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Pickup: Dicks Creek Gap (AT mile 69.4)
Day 3: 10 miles (ascent=1752, descent=3061)
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Drop off: Deep Gap, NC (AT mile 85.2)
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Pickup: Blue Ridge Gap (AT mile 75.2)
Day 4: 13 or 14.7 miles - Choose Your Route:
Option A: 13 miles (ascent=2228, descent=2388)
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Drop off: Mooney Gap (AT mile 98.2)
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Pickup: Deep Gap, NC (AT mile 85.2)
OR
Option B: 14.7 miles (ascent=2372, descent=3241)
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Drop off: Albert Mountain Fire Tower (AT mile 99.9)
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Pickup: Deep Gap, NC (AT mile 85.2)
Day 5: 6 - 11.4 miles - Choose Your Route:
Option A: 7.7 miles - 11.4 miles (ascent=2106, descent=2920)
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Drop off: Mooney Gap (AT mile 98.2)
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Pickup: Rock Gap (AT mile 105.9) OR Winding Stair Gap (AT mile 109.6)
OR
Option B: 6 miles - 9.7 miles (ascent=1240, descent=2762)
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Drop off: Albert Mountain Fire Tower (AT mile 99.9)
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Pickup: Rock Gap (AT mile 105.9) OR Winding Stair Gap (AT mile 109.6)
End: Franklin, NC via either Rock Gap (AT mile 105.9) or Winding Stair Gap (AT mile 109.6).
STANDARD PRICING:
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1 person: $535 +8% GA sales tax
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2 people: $710 ($355 per person) +8% GA sales tax
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3 people: $870 ($290 per person) +8% GA sales tax
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4 people: $1030 ($258 per person) +8% GA sales tax
*Group must hike on the same days and same location and direction
Standard Price includes loaner daypacks, all shuttles, 4 night stay in the bunk room, along with all you can eat fruit pancakes.
UPGRADES & ADD-ONS:
**** Platinum Blaze Upgrade: ($60 each person + 8% GA sales tax) includes upgrade from bunkroom to semi-private room for all nights stayed, and a cooked breakfast with all you can eat fruit pancakes! ****
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Platinum Upgrade Totals:
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1 person = $595 +8% GA sales tax
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2 people = $830 ($415 per person)
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3 people = $1050 ($350 per person)
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4 people = $1272 ($318 per person)
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Unicoi Gap Start: Start at Unicoi Gap (AT Mile 52.7) for an additional $45 (Standard Pricing) or $55 (Platinum Upgrade).
WHY BOOK A SLACK PACKAGE?
Less planning, more hiking.
With everything arranged for you, the Slack Pack saves you money and keeps your trip running smoothly from start to finish. The Slack Package deal combines lodging and shuttles into one easy, discounted package—no piecing it together yourself.
Standard Pricing Breakdown for 1 person WITHOUT Slack Package:
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Total Shuttles = $390
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Dicks Creek Gap x2 = $0
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Blue Ridge Gap x2 = $0
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Deep Gap x2 = $150
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Albert or Mooney Gap x2 = $ 240
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Total stay in bunks = $160 +tax
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Total AYCE pancakes = $13 +tax
Total if booked separately = $563 +tax
Total with Slack Pack Package = $535 +tax
Savings = $28
Platinum Upgrade Breakdown for 1 person WITHOUT Slack Package:
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Semi private room difference: $45 +tax
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Cooked breakfast add-on: $40 +tax
Total if booked upgrades separately without package = $85 +tax
Total with Platinum Blaze Upgraded Slack Package = $60 +tax
Savings = $25
SLACK PACKING - VIRGINIA LOCATION
THE FIERCE 50
50+ Miles of Slackpacking
James River Footbridge to Reid's Gap
ITINERARY:
Day 1: 22 miles
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Drop Off: US 60 Long Mountain Wayside 809.4
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Pickup: James River Footbridge 787.4
Day 2: 16.3 miles +1.1 mile
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Drop Off: Spyrock Rd (1.1 miles from AT) 825.7
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Pickup: US 60 Long Mountain Wayside 809.4
Day 3: 19.8 miles + 1.1 mile
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Drop Off: Spyrock Rd (1.1 miles from AT) 825.7
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Pickup: Reid's Gap 845.5
Day 4: Drop off at Reid's Gap with all gear
STANDARD PRICING:
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1 person: $485
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2 people: $295 per person
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3 people: $230 per person
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4 people: $200 per person
MODIFICATIONS & ADD-ONS:
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Changes may be made upon the entire group's request. For example, the 22-mile day from US 60 Long Mountain Wayside to James River Footbridge can be shortened by hiking from Punchbowl to James River Footbridge, then Punchbowl to US 60 Long Mountain Wayside, adding an extra day. The price on this would adjust accordingly.
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Similarly, Spyrock to Reid's Gap can be shortened by adding an extra day with VA 56.
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Zero Day: available upon request at $35 per person.
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Upgrade to semi-private or private room starting at an extra $5 per night, subject to availability.
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Pack Drop-Off service available - prices will vary based on location.
THE HOT 100
100+ Miles of Slackpacking
Daleville US 220 to VA 56 - Weeklong Slack Package
ITINERARY:
Day 1: 13.6 miles
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Drop-Off: Daleville US 220 730.6
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Pickup: Black Horse Gap 744.2
Day 2: 14.6 miles
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Drop-Off: Black Horse Gap 744.2
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Pickup: Jennings Creek 758.8
Day 3: 13.7 miles
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Drop-Off: Apple Orchard 772.5
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Pickup: Jennings Creek 758.8
Day 4: 14.9 miles
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Drop-Off: Apple Orchard 772.5
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Pickup: James River Footbridge 787.4
Day 5: 22 miles
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Drop-Off: US 60 Long Mountain Wayside 809.4
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Pickup: James River Footbridge 787.4
Day 6: 16.3 miles + 1.1 mile
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Drop-Off: Spyrock Rd (1.1 miles from AT) 825.7
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Pickup: US 60 Long Mountain Wayside 809.4
Day 7: 9.1 miles + 1.1 mile
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Drop-Off: Spyrock Rd (1.1 miles from AT) 825.7
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Pickup: VA 56 834.8
Day 8: Drop-off VA 56 with all gear
STANDARD PRICING:
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1 person: $975
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2 people: $610 per person
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3 people: $490 per person
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4 people: $430 per person
MODIFICATIONS & ADD-ONS:
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Changes can be made upon entire group's request. For example, the 22-mile day from US 60 Long Mountain Wayside to James River Footbridge can be shortened by hiking from Reservoir Rd to James River Footbridge, then Reservoir Rd to US 60 Long Mountain Wayside, adding an extra day. The price on this would adjust accordingly.
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Zero Day: available upon request at $35 per person.
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Upgrade to semi-private or private room starting at an extra $5 per night, subject to availability.
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Pack Drop-Off service available - prices will vary based on location.
RESUPPLY OPTIONS
RESUPPLY AT AROUND THE BEND
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On site, full resupply including backpacker meals, snacks, fuel, some gear and more.
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Hiawassee, GA, is a full service hiker town with restaurants, grocery stores, and large outfitter store Trailful Outdoors.
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We take our guests to town free of charge.
RESUPPLY AT GLASGOW
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While smaller, Glasgow still offers two resupply stores in addition to our selection of candy and snacks - you’ll find that the local grocery store and nearby Dollar General have everything you need.
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Scotto's Pizza is located within walking distance and open 6 days a week.
OUR AMENITIES:
Comfortable Lodging
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Bunks with Mattresses
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Semi Private Space
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Private Rooms
Shuttle Service
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Free shuttle service to select locations
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Shuttles for a fee to other locations
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Slack packing and pack drop-off services
On-Site Amenities
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WiFi
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Free Laundry Services
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Shower
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Clean Linens
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Massage tools
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Foot spa
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Full Kitchen
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Free Coffee
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Large Flat Screen with Cable
